The Metamorphosis is a short story, written by Franz Kafka, about a man who has just woken up and realised that he has turned into a beetle overnight. This story explores themes such as family relationships, the treatment of the working class, and isolation. The following essay will discuss how Kafka presents the theme of isolation throughout Part 2 of the Metamorphosis. This theme is shown through the physical form of the main character, Gregor, through Gregor’s relationship with his sister, and through his relationship with his father.
Kafka uses Gregor’s new-found physical form to imply how he is isolated from his family. Kafka suggests that his family don’t want to see him in his current form when he says ‘ In the first 2 weeks, his parents could not bring themselves to see him’. This would imply that his parents are disgusted at his appearance and that he is confined to his room. The author also reminds us about his new body as he uses the technique of objectification such as ‘ he scuttled out’ and ‘scurrying out’. This would show that Gregor’s actions are being classified as those of a beetle’s rather than a human.
Kafka also uses what Gregor is now eating as another form of isolation. Some of the food Gregor eats include ‘old half-rotten vegetables and bones from the evening meal’. This shows that he is no longer eating what humans eat but is swaying towards the type of food that his animal form eats. Furthermore, he is showing his animalistic side rather than his human side. This would also be a problem not just for Gregor but also his family as they will eventually be no longer dealing with him as there son or brother but as a pet which will be difficult particularly for his mother as when she saw him for the first time.
Kafka additionally uses the moment that Gregor’s father reveals to the family that from the collapsed business he had a secret stash of money to isolate Gregor even more than he already is as Gregor will now feel used and betrayed by because he has just been made to work hard to the people that his parents owe the money to and made him stress out over having to work for the next 5 yrs when this money could lower or remove the debt completely. This also illustrates that between the family there is a lack of communication.
Over the course of the essay, I have explored how Franz Kafka uses isolation within part 2 of The Metamorphosis. He does this by focusing on the physical isolation with him being a beetle. He also discusses about the eating habits and how he is now eating leftovers. Finally, he also uses betrayal with the dad’s secret stash of money and to illustrate how the family has a lack of communication. With his sister going to and fro from his room to the family, she is essentially the messenger of the family and makes Gregor feel isolated as if he is a prisoner in his own home. This is how Kafka presents isolation in part 2 of The Metamorphosis.
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